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‘I Will Focus On Europa League’- Man United Boss Mourinho Says

Manchester United boss, Jose Mourinho, has said the club could focus on the Premier League to the Europa League if they lose sight of a top-four finish this week.

Manchester United are currently fifth, five points behind fourth-placed Manchester City with a game in hand, after having to settle for draws against Bournemouth and West Brom in their last three league games.

They will be up against Everton on Tuesday followed by Sunderland on Sunday, and they must face Chelsea, City, Arsenal and Tottenham in the remaining eight games.

The Portuguese has hinted he may prioritise the Europa League, where Manchester United are favourites and face Belgian side Anderlecht in the quarterfinals this month.

He noted that Europa League may provide an easier route to Champions League qualification.

The former Chelsea, Inter Milan, FC Porto and Real Madrid boss told reporters, “I just want to think that against Everton we are going to do what we tried to do [against West Brom], to try to play with our best team and try to win the match, and after Everton we go to Sunderland with the same perspective.

“And then after Sunderland the Europa League comes and I don’t know.

“Then, it’s possible that you see me play in the Premier League with a team where I’m going to protect the players that I consider fundamental for the Europa League — but only, only if the results in the next matches put us in a situation where, mathematically, it becomes almost impossible to do it.

“I go with mathematics. Until it’s impossible mathematically, we keep trying. Because this week is a week without the Europa League, we have nothing to think about with the Europa League.

“This week is easy. From the focus point of view, it’s easy. We have to play Everton, we have to play Sunderland, and in these two matches we have to go for them thinking about the Premier League and nothing else.

“After that match against Sunderland, then we have Anderlecht and the quarterfinals of the Europa League are very important for us.”

Barcelona forward Neymar has revealed his ambitions to play in the Premier League, admitting desire to play under Pep Guardiola or Jose Mourinho.

The 25-year-old arrived at the Camp Nou in 2013 from Santos and has gone on to form a formiddable partnership with Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez in the deadly attack combo, but there were reports last summer that the Brazilian was considering his future at the Camp Nou, with suggestions of a move to the Premier League or Paris Saint Germain being in the offing.

Neymar in a recent interview with the Sun, confessed his love for the Premier League and even revealed his desire to play under Guardiola or Mourinho.

He said: “The Premier League is a championship that amazes me.

“I like the playing style and the teams. And who knows, someday, I would like to play at it, yes.

“I admire Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool — these are the teams that are always there fighting.